By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, July 25 -- As the Security Council gathered Wednesday for its periodic group therapy on the Middle East "and the questions of Palestine," with 41 speakers signed up, topics ranged from Syria and the bombing in Bulgaria to the Quartet, Palestine's debt and Israel's treatment of migrants.
UN envoy Robert Serry spoke first, saying among other things that the Palestinian Authority owes some $1.1 billion to banks, which he did not identify.
Palestine's Observer Riyad Mansour, his arm in a sling, ranged from detentions to settlements to a denunciation of the "so-called 'Levy Committee report,' a right wing, Israeli government appointed committee that... recommends the Israel legalize 'outposts,' a recommendation that defies international law."
Mansour ended by telling July's Security Council president Nestor Osorio of Colombia, "Muchas gracias."
Israel's Deputy Permanent Representative Heim Waxman began with the bombing in Bulgaria -- whose Permanent Representative has yet to express agreement with Israel's theory of the case -- and shifts to the treatment of bloggers in the West Bank, adding that the International Monetary Fund says the GDP in Gaza grew 20 percent in 2011.
The US was represented by Jeffrey DeLaurentis, who started with Syria and chemical weapons, shifted to Lebanon and then to "comprehensive Middle East peace." Might this include a Security Council trip to Palestine? One wag said, "Not before November."
Pakistan brought up the trip and invitation, saying that the trip should take place.
France's Gerard Araud speechified about Syria, saying that France will continue to support the opposition, including on the ground. One wondered, as in Libya, where France air dropped weapons into the Nafusa mountains, while now presenting itself with clean hands in the Arms Trade Treaty talks?
South Africa's Baso Sangqu extended things into Israel's treatment of African migrants, and then asked the question of the UN's weak role in the Quartet. We note, including on the issue of Palestine's debt to banks, that Quartet envoy Tony Blair is also back by JPMorgan Chase.
When the Council broke for lunch at 1:30, ten Arab Ambassador came to the televised stake out. Mansour asked Inner City Press, "Where are your colleagues?"
But after Saudi Arabia's Permanent Representative read a statment denouncing settlements and saying the Security Council trip should take place, he tried to leave without taking any questions.
"What about the Quarter," Inner City Press asked, "should it continue?"
The Saudi Ambassador stopped and replied, it should continue, but take up its responsibilities.
Syria, it should be noted, as not in this line up, but is scheduled to speak inside the Security Council on Wednesday afternoon. They often note that sessions said to be on Palestine are taking into other issues, now mostly Syria itself. Expect fireworks -- watch this site.
